Learning & Growth

Learning and growth in D102 is all about "Every Day, Every Student." Teachers in D102 are exceptional educators who craft meaningful, authentic, and collaborative learning opportunities that are as much about the process as the products of student learning. Every day, students are engaged in rigorous learning opportunities that are designed for continuous growth toward the district learning standards as well as the Portrait of a Graduate.

Curriculum
MTSS
English Learners
Student Services
Young Learners
Parent-Student Handbook
Libraries
Health and Wellness
Apple Distinguished
dlg

Approach to Learning and Growth

D102's Portrait of a Graduate outlines the competencies that are developed in our district's students in early childhood through eighth grade. When students graduate from our district, they will be equipped not only with the knowledge of many subject areas, but also will have developed essential skills that will contribute to their success in high school and beyond. Students will leave D102 as Skilled Communicators and Collaborators, Effective Problem Solvers and Decision Makers, Ethical and Open-Minded Global Citizens, and Determined and Empowered Individuals.

Authentic, Relevant Learning

We believe in creating conditions where learning is relevant, meaningful, authentic, engaging, and personalized for students. Students need the opportunity to show mastery of rigorous content, learn how to think critically and solve problems, work collaboratively, communicate effectively, direct one’s own learning, and develop a growth mindset. Trial and error, time for reflection, communicating progress, and identifying strengths and weaknesses are important components in developing the attributes outlined in our Portrait of A Graduate.

Why is curriculum and instruction more than content?

Curriculum, instruction, and learning environments are designed with the understanding that students will graduate into a world where the demands of professional, personal, and public lives grow more complicated every year.

An innovative, creativity-driven economy: Students will enter a job market that rewards creativity, flexible thinking, on-the-job learning, and comfort with technology.

A more globally-connected world: Classmates and coworkers may live in the same zip code or across the globe.

Information overflow: We encounter large amounts of information every day, and it just keeps growing! It will be important to distinguish what is reliable and how to use it.

Expanded social interactions: Citizens are active in physical communities, online-social media communities, local politics, as well as global initiatives.

students looking at computer screen

Students who are civically literate, globally conversant, and digitally competent are better prepared for 21st-century citizenship.

Civic Literacy
Civic literacy is our knowledge of government and community and the role we play as citizens in our neighborhoods and country.

Global Awareness
As defined by the Asia Society and the Council of Chief State School Officers, a globally aware and competent student can: investigate the world, weigh perspectives, communicate ideas, take action and apply expertise to different academic subjects.

Digital Literacy
Digital literacy helps students understand their rights and responsibilities online, recognize the benefits and risks, realize the personal and ethical implications of their actions in the digital space, and empowers them to be smart and effective participants in the digital world.